Garment for use with an absorbent article

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to garments that have close body fit. The garment of the present invention comprises an elasticized waistband, a front panel having first and second sections, a rear panel having first and second sections, a crotch region disposed between and joining the front panel to the rear panel and a pair of elasticized leg openings. The first section of the front panel has a greater resistance to streching in the lateral direction than the second section of the front panel. The first section of the rear panel has a greater resistance to stretching in the lateral direction than the second section of the rear panel. The crotch region is provided with a longitudinal stretch control member that is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the undergarment. The longitudinal stretch control member limits the stretch of the crotch region in the longitudinal direction causing the crotch region to conform to a weare&#39;s skin surface. A front stretch control member is disposed in the front panel and extends from the longitudinal stretch control member to the waistband. A rear stretch control member is disposed in the rear panel and extends from the longitudinal stretch control member to the waistband.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to garments, particularly to garments thatcan be used in conjunction with an absorbent article, and moreparticularly to garments a user can wear with an incontinence device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is known, disposable incontinence devices are commercially availablein a wide variety of configurations for the specific purpose ofabsorbing and retaining urine and other body discharges. Typically,these garments have a portion that is designed to hold or position adisposable absorbent article against the body of the wearer. A number ofthese garments also have structural features that hold the absorbentarticle in a desired position until the disposable absorbent article issoiled and discarded.

Prior art developments includes GB 2 282 053, which describes a pantythat may be used by men who need to wear an absorbent product in theregion of their groin as a result of a medical condition. The panty isso configured and constructed that, in use, the absorbent product firmlyembraces the body of the wearer by the panty via a partial lining ofimpermeable material, and movement of t the absorbent product isprevented. This solution has a degree of effect, but problems stillarise with regard to tightness which may cause wearer discomfort,rolling up of the leg areas leading to leakage of fluids, and wearermovement can create gapping in the groin and back regions.

GB 2 185 678 A discloses a disposable undergarment comprising anintegral absorbent pad that can function as a light incontinencegarment. The absorbent pad stretches upwards from the crotch region bothin the back and the front region to a point higher than normal absorbentpads. The device is designed to substantially minimize the leakage offluids in overnight use. The configuration may lead to wearer discomfortdue to the built-in and high positioning of the absorbent pad.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,425 describes an improved panty and method of makingthe same that has both nonwoven porous fabric panels and nonwovenelastic members. The panty is characterized by elastication in alldirections. Problems may arise regarding body contact and thepositioning of the absorbent product. Furthermore, the panty is onlydesigned from use by a woman or a child.

WO 92/00051 discloses an undergarment that includes a permanentlystretched region within which the incontinence guard is placed and inwhich the material has a lower elasticity than tin the remaining regionsof the undergarment. Such features enable the correct and readypositioning of the incontinence guard and improved wearer confidence.Nevertheless, the configuration leads to bunching in the back region anddoes not guarantee a high degree of body contact. Furthermore, when theincontinence guard is loaded, the undergarment is incapable of coveringthe incontinence guard effectively and leakage may occur.

WO 95/09594 relates to a light incontinence panty that is characterizedby elastic devices, which extend from the front to the back part of thepanty. The elastic devices may comprise elastic threads, ribbons orbands that are preferably mounted between two layers or sheetscomprising the panty. The invention however does not disclose a garmentthat incorporates elasticity through an integral knitting technology.The panty may suffer from such drawbacks as wearer discomfort, saggingof the waistband and a poor fit.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,722, issued to Osborn on Mar. 18, 1997 describes apanty-type undergarment. The panty-type undergarment has a front panel,a rear panel, and a crotch portion. The undergarment further includes asubstantially anchor-shaped support panel having a greater resistance tostretch than the rest of the undergarment which is integrally knit intothe rear panel. The support panel is said to lift and separate thecheeks of a wearer's buttocks. The support panel includes a verticalstrip and upwardly curving portions which extend toward and along aportion of the undergarment's leg openings. While such undergarments maylift and separate the cheeks of a wearer's buttocks, the undergarmentsfail to provide a lifting force that would improve bodily contactbetween a catamenial device and a wearer's pudendal region.

As is evident, the prior art garments reveal many shortcomings, namelypoor body contact due to the movement of the wearer, poor fit, lack ofwearer comfort, increased bulkiness leading to a clumsy and unappealingappearance, and leakage of fluids.

It has been discovered that the above drawbacks can be alleviated by agarment as disclosed in the present invention. The garment of thepresent invention enables both superior body contact and an excellentfit when the disposable absorbent article is both wet and dry. Thisleads to several benefits such as better positioning and containment ofthe absorbent article, improved acquisition properties, reduction inleakage and superior wearer confidence and comfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to garments/undergarments that have close,almost “second skin,” body fit. In particular the garments of thepresent invention are particularly well suited for helping hold anabsorbent article, such as an incontinence pad or incontinence device,in close bodily contact throughout a wide range of wearer motions.

The garment of the present invention comprises an elasticized waistband,a front panel having first and second sections, a rear panel havingfirst and second sections, a crotch region disposed between and joiningthe front panel to the rear panel and a pair of elasticized legopenings.

The first section of the front panel has a greater resistance tostretching in the lateral direction than the second section of the frontpanel. The first section of the rear panel has a greater resistance tostretching in the lateral direction than the second section of the rearpanel.

The crotch region is provided with a longitudinal stretch control memberthat is disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the undergarment.The longitudinal stretch control member limits the stretch of the crotchregion in the longitudinal direction causing the crotch region toconform to a wearer's skin surface.

A front stretch control member is disposed in the front panel andextends from the longitudinal stretch control member to the waistband. Arear stretch control member is disposed in the rear panel and extendsfrom the longitudinal stretch control member to the waistband.

While the garment of the present invention can be assembled frommaterials that may be known to the art as having the requisitemechanical properties, it is preferably knit. When the garment of thepresent invention is knit, the mechanical properties of the variouscomponents thereof can be provided by a combination of the knit patternused for a particular component and the yarns that are used. In aparticularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, thelongitudinal stretch control member is integrally knit with the crotchregion, the front stretch control member is integrally knit with thefront panel, and the rear stretch control member is integrally knit withthe rear panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing outand distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as formingthe present invention, it is believed that the invention will be betterunderstood from the following description which is taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the garment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the garment shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 that has beenopened at the sides, the elastic components being pulled flat.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an absorbent article suitable for use with thegarment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of an alternative embodiment of a garment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a garment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the garment shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a garment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to garments, more specifically to garmentssuitable for holding a disposable absorbent article in close contactwith a wearer's body. A particularly preferred form of the presentinvention relates to a garment intended for use with incontinencedevices, such as incontinence pads and diaper inserts, and the like, tohold such devices in close body contact to help reduce the leakage fromsuch devices. It should be understood, however, that the presentinvention is also applicable for use not only with incontinence devicesbut also other absorbent articles such as feminine hygiene articles,such as sanitary napkins, panty liners, and the like.

As used herein, the term “incontinence device” refers to an absorbentarticle generally worn by incontinent persons about the lower torso forabsorbing and containing bodily fluids, such as urine. Also as usedherein, the term “disposable” refers to structures which are notintended to be laundered or otherwise restored or reused after use(i.e., they are intended to be discarded after a single use, and,perferably, to be recycled, composted or otherwise disposed of in anenvironmentally compatible manner). As used herein, the terms “fluid”,“liquid” and the like are intended to be interchangeable and refer tomaterials that are in a liquid state when they are at a temperature ofabout 100° F.

General Description of the Garment

While, as noted above, the present invention is suitable for use with awide variety of absorbent articles, it will be described in terms of agarment 20 which may be used in conjunction with an incontinence device100. FIGS. 1 and 2 show front and rear views of the incontinence garment20 of the present invention. As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the garment20 of the present invention comprises a front panel 30 comprising firstsection 36 and second section 38, a rear panel 40 comprising firstsection 46 and second section 48, a crotch region 50, a pair ofelasticized leg openings 60, and an elasticized waistband 22. Thegarment 20 is also provided with a waist opening 21 allowing entry intothe garment 20. The garment 20 further comprises a longitudinal stretchcontrol member 52 disposed along the longitudinal centerline in thecrotch region 50, a front stretch control member 54 disposed in thefront panel 30 and extending from the longitudinal stretch controlmember 52 to the waistband 22, and a rear stretch control member 56disposed in the rear panel 40 and extending from the longitudinalstretch control member 52 to the waistband 22. Each of these elementswill be described in greater detail in the following sections.

FIG. 3 shows the garment 20 of the present invention in a full flat outposition wherein each of the sides 32, 34 has been opened and elasticcomponents have been pulled flat. FIG. 3 can also be considered to be aplan view of a blank for the garment 20 (see Forming the Garment below).As can be seen from FIG. 3, the garment 20 has a longitudinal centerlineL and a transverse centerline T. As is also shown clearly in FIG. 3, thegarment 20 of the present invention is symmetric about the longitudinalaxis L and symmetric about the trasverse axis T. The garment 20 may alsobe symmetric about the longitudinal axis L and asymmetric about thetransverse axis T.

The garment 20 can comprise woven, nonwoven or knit fabrics. Preferablythe garment 20 comprises a knit fabric. A particularly preferredknitting means involves first knitting a seamless tubular blankapproximately half the final width of the garment 20. The tubular blankmay be knit to have an hour glass shape so as to provide for the legopenings 60 in the finished undergarment 20 or, alternatively, portionsof the opened tube may be cut away to provide for such leg openings 60(see Forming the Garment below).

The Elasticized Waistband

As noted above, the waist opening 21 allows entry into the garment 20 ofthe present invention. Preferably the waist opening 21 is provided withan elasticized waistband 22 such that the waist opening 21 conformsclosely to a wearer's waist. The elasticized waistband 22 may be formedby providing an elastic member, such as a Lycra® or SPANDEX material,adjacent each distal end of the blank that is shown in FIG. 3, C-foldingeach distal end about itself to form end edges 23 and 24, and seamingthe distal ends to the front panel 30 and the rear panel 40 to form thewaist opening 21 and the elasticized waistband 22. Preferably, theelasticized waistband 22 comprises the same yarns as and is integrallyknit with the front panel 30 and the rear panel 40. More preferably, theelasticized waistband 22 comprises a turned welt. A particularlypreferred knitting pattern for the elasticized waistband 22 comprises acombination of plain knit stitches and float stitches wherein everyfourth wale is provided with a positive float stitch.

The Front Panel

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the front panel 30 is that portion ofthe garment 20 that cooperates with the rear panel 40 (discussed below)to encircle a wearer's waist and hips. As can be also seen in FIGS. 1and 2, the front panel 30, the rear panel 40, and the crotch region 50also cooperate to define the leg openings 60 (discussed in detailbelow). The front panel 30 comprises first section 36 and second section38.

While alternate structures can be used, for example, the front panel 30could be cut to an appropriate shape from a woven or nonwoven materialand joined to the remaining portions of the garment 20. The front panel30 of the present invention is preferably wholly plain knit morepreferably jersey knit, from a combination of elastically extensible andnon-elastically extensible yarns. As is clear to one of ordinary skillin the art, the elastic properties of the individual yarns and theparticular knitting pattern can be used by a designer to define themechanical properties of the front panel 30. In a particularly preferredembodiment of the present invention, the front panel 30 comprisesalternating courses of wholly plain knit, preferably jersey knit, nylonand Lycra® or SPANDEX yarns as are available from Unifi, Inc. ofGreensboro, N.C. In an alternative embodiment, the front panel 30 can bewholly plain knit, preferably jersey knit, using a Lycra® or SPANDEXyarn having suitable mechanical properties in all courses. As will beclear from the discussion of the mechanical properties of the frontpanel 30 below, one of skill in the art could define other knittingpatterns using attentive yarns to provide such mechanical properties. Asnoted above, front panels 30 having such mechanical propertiescomprising woven or nonwoven materials are also envisioned.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to3, the first section 36 has a greater resistance to stretching in thelateral direction than the second section 38. Preferably, the firstsection 36 also has a greater resistance to stretching in thelongitudinal direction than the second section 38. The greater elasticextensibility of the second section 38 enables the garment 20 to fit avariety of body shapes and sizes and provides good conformity to awearer's body. The greater resistance to stretching of the first section36, particularly in the lateral direction, provides a “z-direction”biasing force to the incontinence device 100 throughout the full rangeof wearer movement. Such a biasing force helps maintain the incontinencedevice 100 worn with the garment 20 in close bodily contact.

The Rear Panel

As mentioned above, the rear panel 40 is that portion of the garment 20that cooperates with the front panel 30 to encircle a wearer's waist andhips. The rear panel 40 comprises first section 46 and second section48.

While alternate structures can be used, for example, the rear panel 40could be cut to an appropriate shape from a woven or nonwoven materialand joined to the remaining portions of the garment 20. The rear panel40 of the present invention is preferably wholly plain knit, morepreferably jersey knit, from a combination of elastically extensible andnon-elastically extensible yarns. As is clear to one of ordinary skillin the art, the elastic properties of the individual yarns and theparticular knitting pattern can be used by a designer to define themechanical properties of the rear panel 40. In a particularly preferredembodiment of the present invention, the rear panel 40 comprisesalternating courses of wholly plain knit, preferably jersey knit, nylonand Lycra® or SPANDEX yarns as are available from Unifi, Inc. ofGreensboro, N.C. In an alternative embodiment, the rear panel 40 can bewholly plain knit, preferably jersey knit, using a Lycra® or SPANDEXyarn having suitable mechanical properties in all courses. As will beclear from the discussion of the mechanical properties of the rear panel40 below, one of skill in the art could define other knitting patternsusing alternative yarns to provide such mechanical properties. As notedabove, rear panels 40 having such mechanical properties comprising wovenor nonwoven materials are also envisioned.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 to3, the first section 46 has a greater resistance to stretching in thelateral direction than the second section 48. Preferably, the firstsection 46 also has a greater resistance to stretching in thelongitudinal direction than the second section 48. The greater elasticextensibility of the second section 48 enables the garment 20 to fit avariety of body shapes and sizes and provides good conformity to awearer's body. The greater resistance to stretching of the first section46 provides a “z-direction” biasing force to the incontinence device 100throughout the full range of wearer movement. Such a biasing force helpsmaintain the incontinence device 100 worn with the garment 20 in closebodily contact.

The Crotch Region

The crotch region 50 is positioned along the longitudinal centerline Lof the undergarment 20 of the present invention between the front panel30 and the rear panel 40. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention shown in FIGS. 1-3, the crotch region 50 cooperates with thefront panel 30 and the rear panel 40 to define the leg openings 60. Asis shown most clearly in FIG. 3, a longitudinal stretch control memberis disposed along the longitudinal centerline L in the crotch region 50.The crotch region bridges the distance between the elasticized legopenings 60.

While alternate structures can be used, for example, the crotch region50 could be cut to an appropriate shape from a woven or nonwovenmaterial and joined to the remaining portions of the garment 20. Thecrotch region 50 of the present invention is preferably wholly plainknit, more preferably jersey knit, from a combination of elasticallyextensible and non-elastically extensible yarns. As is clear to one ofordinary skill in the art, the elastic properties of the individualyarns and the particular knitting pattern can be used by a designer todefine the mechanical properties of the crotch region 50. In aparticularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the crotchregion 50 comprises alternating courses of wholly plain knit, preferablyjersey knit, nylon and Lycra® or SPANDEX yarns as are available fromUnifi, Inc. of Greensboro, N.C. In an alternative embodiment, the crotchregion 50 can be wholly plain knit, preferably jersey knit, using aLycra® or SPANDEX yarn having suitable mechanical properties in allcourses. As will be clear from the discussion of the mechanicalproperties of the crotch region 50 below, one of skill in the art coulddefine other knitting patterns using alternative yarns to provide suchmechanical properties. As noted above, crotch regions 50 having suchmechanical properties comprising woven or nonwoven materials are alsoenvisioned.

Preferably the crotch region 50 comprises a knit material having a lowerlongitudinal stretch modulus than the elasticized leg openings 60 or thelongitudinal stretch control member 52. More preferably, as is shown inFIGS. 1-3, the crotch panel 50 is integrally knit with the front panel30 and the rear panel 40 using a plain knit pattern and yarns having ahigh extensibility.

Longitudinal Stretch Control Member

As noted above the longitudinal stretch control member 52 serves tolimit the stretch of the crotch region 50 along the longitudinalcenterline L. In particular, the longitudinal stretch control member 52limits the longitudinally oriented stretch of the crotch region 50 alongthe longitudinal centerline L. While not being bound by theory, theApplicants believe such longitudinal stretch limitation serves totransfer the “z-direction” biasing force from the rear panel 40 and fromthe front panel 30 to the crotch region 50. Such force transfer causesthe crotch region 50 and any incontinence device 100 disposed thereon tobe held closely against a wearer's body (particularly along thelongitudinal centerline L of the garment 20) throughout a wide range ofwearer movements.

The Applicants have found that the garment 20 of the present inventionis particularly comfortable to wear, notwithstanding the closeconformity of the present garment to and contact with a wearer's body,particularly in the crotch area as is discussed herein. Garments and/orundergarments of the prior art have attempted to achieve conformity tothe crotch area by elasticized lifting members, such as cinches, or by avery tight fit overall. These undergarments are often described as beinguncomfortable. One source of such discomfort, particularly forcinch-type undergarments, is pressure on a wearer's anus. The tissuesurrounding the anus is particularly sensitive to pressure and forcesapplied to the anus can cause discomfort. Cinch-type undergarments, suchas that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,551, typically use anelastically extensible member to provide a lifting force to seal anabsorbent article against a wearer's perineum. Such elastic members areusually joined to the undergarment at a location that is positionedabove a wearer's anus when the undergarment is worn. As a result, thereis not only the desirable lifting force to seal an absorbent articleagainst the wearer's perineum but also an uncomfortable pressure on awearer's anus. On the other hand, the garment 20 of the presentinvention distributes the “z-direction” biasing force discussed above sothat bodily contact is maintained throughout a wide range of wearermotions without unacceptable pressure on a wearer's anus.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the longitudinal stretch control member52 is disposed along the longitudinal centerline L in the crotch region50. The longitudinal stretch control member 52 can be either a separateelement joined to the crotch region 50 or it can be integral to thecrotch region 50. Preferably, the longitudinal stretch control member 52is integral to the crotch region 50. In a particularly preferredembodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal stretch controlmember 52 and the crotch region 50 are integrally knit.

As noted above, the longitudinal stretch control member 52 serves tolimit stretch, particularly longitudinally oriented stretch in thecrotch region 50 along the longitudinal centerline L. To this end, thelongitudinal stretch control member 52 can comprise any material havinga greater stretch modulus than the crotch region 50. For example, thelongitudinal stretch control member 52 could comprise a high modulusfilm material or even a single strand of yarn or monofilament having arelatively high modulus. For the preferred integrally knit longitudinalstretch control member 52, the longitudinal stretch control member couldcomprise the same yarns used for the crotch region wherein the yarnscomprising the stretch control member 52 were knit in a pattern known tothe art as being stretch limiting. For example, the longitudinal stretchcontrol member 52 can comprise a knit pattern wherein alternatingcourses thereof are tucked. Alternatively, an elastic yarn can befloated in to provide the longitudinal stretch control member 52 withadditional stretch resistance as is also known in the art.

Suitable yarns for the longitudinal stretch control member 52 aresubstantially the same yarns or combinations of yarns as have been foundto be suitable for the crotch region 50.

The longitudinal stretch control member 52 has a greater resistance tostretching in the longitudinal direction than said first section 36 ofsaid front panel 30. The longitudinal stretch control member 52 has agreater resistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction than saidfirst section 46 of said rear panel 40.

The Front Stretch Control Member

The front stretch control member 54 cooperates with the longitudinalstretch control member 52 to provide a “z-direction” biasing force alongthe longitudinal centerline L of the garment 20 particularly in thecrotch region 50. This force helps lift the crotch region 50,particularly the longitudinal stretch control 52 member that is disposedtherein, so that any incontinence device 100 that may be disposedthereon is in close body contact. In particular, the Applicants believethat the front stretch control member 54 directs the forces provided bythe longitudinal stretch control member 52 to the waistband 22 to helplift the crotch region 50 into close bodily contact.

As noted above, the front stretch control member 54 helps provide“z-direction” biasing force along the longitudinal centerline L.Therefore, the front stretch control member 54 is preferably disposedalong the longitudinal centerline L in the front panel 30. Morepreferably, the front stretch control member 54 divides the firstsection 36 of the front panel 30 into two identical sections. The frontstretch control member 54 can be joined to the front panel 30 along thelongitudinal centerline L. Preferably, the front stretch control member54 is integral to the front panel 30. In the particularly preferredembodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, the front stretch control member 54 isintegrally knit with the first section 36 of the front panel 30.

To facilitate the direction of forces, the front stretch control member54 should have less stretch than the first and second sections 36, 38 ofthe front panel 30. To provide such lower stretch, the front stretchcontrol member 54 may comprise a material having a higher stretchmodulus than the front panel 30 or a knit material having a knit patternas is known in the art to provide greater stretch resistance. Higherstretch modulus materials suitable for use as a front stretch controlmember 54 include high modulus film materials, such as a polyester filmmaterial or even a single strand of yarn or monofilament having arelatively high modulus (e. g. cotton, polyester or nylon). Preferably,the front stretch control member 54 comprises the same yarns as aresuitable for the first and second sections 36, 38 of the front panel 30and is integrally knit therewith using a knit pattern having lessstretch than the first and second sections 36, 38. That is, the yarnsdiscussed above with respect to the first and second sections 36, 38 ofthe front panel 30 are also suitable for the front stretch controlmember 54. A particularly preferred knitting pattern for the frontstretch control member 54 uses stitches known in the art to providereduced stretch. For example, a pattern of tuck stitches has been foundto be suitable.

The Rear Stretch Control Member

The rear stretch control member 56 cooperates with the longitudinalstretch control member 52 to provide a “z-direction” biasing force. Thisforce helps lift the crotch region 50, particularly the longitudinalstretch control 52 member that is disposed therein, so that anyincontinence device 100 that may be disposed thereon is in close bodycontact. In particular, the Applicants believe that the rear stretchcontrol member 56 directs the forces provided by the longitudinalstretch control member 52 to the waistband 22 to help lift the crotchregion 50 into close bodily contact.

As noted above, the rear stretch control member 56 helps provide a“z-direction” biasing force. The rear stretch control member 56preferably extends from the longitudinal stretch control member 52 alongtwo lines spaced from the longitudinal centerline L in the rear panel40. By spacing the rear stretch control member 56 from the longitudinalcenterline L, the high forces of the rear stretch control member 56 arediverted away from the longitudinal centerline L. Applicants have foundthis to be particularly important as this allows the first section 46 ofthe rear panel 40 to be positioned over the anus. Since the firstsection 46 has a lower resistance to stretch in both the longitudinaland lateral directions than the rear stretch control member 56, thefirst section is able to expand under lower forces. This zone of lowerforce expansion creates a pocket 58 in the rear panel 40 which canexpand to contain BM.

The rear stretch control member 56 can be joined to the rear panel 40.Preferably, the rear stretch control member 56 is integral to the rearpanel 40. In the particularly preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3,the rear stretch control member 56 is integrally knit with the firstsection 46 of the rear panel 40.

To facilitate the direction of forces, the rear stretch control member56 should have less stretch than the first and second sections 46, 48 ofthe rear panel 40. To provide such lower stretch, the rear stretchcontrol member 56 may comprise a material having a higher stretchmodulus than the rear panel 40 or a knit material having a knit patternas is known in the art to provide greater stretch resistance. Higherstretch modulus materials suitable for use as a rear stretch controlmember 56 include high modulus film materials, such as a polyester filmmaterial or even a single strand of yarn or monofilament having arelatively high modulus (e. g. cotton, polyester or nylon). Preferably,the rear stretch control member 56 comprises the same yarns as aresuitable for the first and second sections 46, 48 of the rear panel 40and is integrally knit therewith using a knit pattern having lessstretch than the first and second sections 46, 48. That is, the yarnsdiscussed above with respect to the first and second sections 46, 48 ofthe rear panel 40 are also suitable for the rear stretch control member56. A particularly preferred knitting pattern for the rear stretchcontrol member 56 uses stitches known in the art to provide reducedstretch. For example, a pattern of tuck stitches has been found to besuitable.

Elasticized Leg Openings

As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the garment 20 of the present invention isalso provided with a pair of elasticized leg openings 60. As notedabove, the front panel 30, the rear panel 40, and the crotch region 50cooperate to define the periphery of each leg opening 60. This peripheryis provided with a leg elastic 62 for elasticization of the leg opening60. The leg elastics 62 both provide a seal against leakage of bodilyfluids about the periphery of each leg.

While the leg elastics 62 must provide a minimal contractive force helpto seal the periphery of the leg opening 60 against leakage of bodilyfluids, it is important that the contractive force not be so great as tocause discomfort to a wearer. Minimizing the stretch modulus over therange of expected elastic extensions during the wear cycle alsominimizes the risk of wearer discomfort. That is, if the leg elasticsare designed to provide a contractive force at a typical in useextension, that force should not substantially increase for greaterextensions that may either be due to a different wearer legcircumference or due to wearer movement.

The leg elastics 62 can be joined to the front panel 30, the rear panel40, and the crotch region 50 about the periphery of the leg opening 60using means known to those of skill in the art. Specifically, the legelastics 62 are joined to that portion of the side edges 25, 26, 27, 28which will surround the leg openings 60 (i. e. form the peripherythereof). For example, the leg elastics 62 can be joined to the frontpanel 30, the rear panel 40, and the crotch region 50 using adhesivemeans or by mechanical means, such as stitching. For the preferred knitgarment 20 of the present invention, the leg elastics 62 are preferablyjoined to the front panel 30, the rear panel 40, and the crotch panel 50by stitching thereto.

Optional Features

When used as a system with an incontinence device 100, the garment 20 ofthe present invention can also comprise means for reliably securing theincontinence device 100 on the garment 20. For example, the incontinencedevice 100 could be provided with a first portion of a cohesive materialand the crotch region 50 could be provided with a second portion of acohesive material. As used herein, a “cohesive material” is one whichpreferentially adheres to itself and not to other materials. Suchattachment systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,650 which issuedto Sigl on May 16, 1995, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference.

Alternatively, a “hook and loop” fastening system can be used whereinthe garment surface of the incontinence device 100 could be providedwith a hook material. For example, a prong made according to U.S. Pat.No. 5,058,247, which issued to Thomas, et al. on Oct. 22, 1991, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, would be asatisfactory hook material. The crotch region 50 could be provided witha loop material as is known to the art or, preferably, the yarns and/orknitting pattern used for the crotch region 50 could be modifiedaccording to the art to provide loops for engaging a hook material.

The crotch region 50 can also optionally be provided with indicia tohelp a wearer optimally position an incontinence device 100 therein. Forexample, such indicia could comprise markings along the longitudinalcenterline L that would allow a wearer to reliably position aincontinence device 100 each time a new device is disposed on the bodycontacting (i.e. inner) surface of the crotch region 50. In addition,the front panel 30 and the rear panel 40 can also optionally be providedwith indicia to help a wearer optimally position an incontinence device100 therein.

Forming the Undergarment

A blank for the garment 20 is first knit in a tubular form using meansknown to the art. In particular, front panel 30, the rear panel 40, thecrotch region 50 are integrally knit. The first section 36 of the frontpanel 30 is provided with a front stretch control member 54 by havingsuch a strip integrally knit therein. The first section 46 of the rearpanel 40 is provided with a rear stretch control member 56 by havingsuch a strip integrally knit therein. Similarly, the crotch region 50 isprovided with an integrally knit longitudinal stretch control member 52.The appropriate knit patterns as described above are used.

The tubular blank is then slit walewise and opened. Excess material thatwould otherwise fill the leg openings 60 is removed to form a flat blankfor the garment 20 having a shape similar to the plan view of thegarment 20 that is shown in FIG. 3. As is further shown in FIG. 3, theblank for the garment has a front end edge 23, a rear end edge 24, frontside edges 25, 26, and rear side edges 27, 28.

The leg elastics 62 are joined to the garment 20 about the periphery ofthe leg openings 60 as discussed above. The blank for the garment 20 isthen folded about the transverse centerline T and opposing portions ofthe side edges that lie between the leg opening 60 and the end edges 23,24 are joined to form side seams 32, 34 completing the assembly ofgarment 20 (That is, the portion of side edge 25 that lies between theend of the leg elastic 62 in front panel 30 and the end edge 24 isjoined to the portion of side edge 27 that lies between the end of theleg elastic 62 that lies in the rear panel 40 and the end edge 23 toform seam 32. Side edge 26 is joined to side edge 28 in a similar mannerto form seam 34).

Alternatively, portions of the tubular knit blank can be cut out toprovide the leg openings 60. For example, a tubular blank can beflattened, such that, the interior faces thereof contact each other anda pair longitudinally oriented side edges are formed. Leg openingprecursors can then be formed by cutting matching portions having asemi-circular, semi-elliptical, or other desired shape from transverselyopposite side edges at regular intervals along the flattened blank.Garment blanks are then formed by transversely cutting the flattenedtubular blank in a predetermined repeat pattern wherein a firsttransverse cut is made across the material that was not removed when theleg opening precursors were formed to create a crotch portion precursorand a second transverse cut is made across the full width of theflattened tubular blank forming the waist opening 21. The leg elastics62 are disposed about the periphery of each leg opening 60 and joinedthereto. The two ends formed by the first transverse cut are joined by asingle transverse seam to complete the crotch region 50. The garment 20is then finished by disposing the elasticized waistband 22 about theperiphery of the waist opening 21 and joining the elasticized waistband22 thereto.

Alternative Embodiments

Referring now to FIG. 5 there is shown a rear view of an alternativeembodiment of a garment 120 of the present invention. Garment 120 isidentical to garment 20 except for the configuration of the rear stretchcontrol member 156.

The rear stretch control member 156 cooperates with the longitudinalstretch control member 152 to provide a “z-direction” biasing force.This force helps lift the crotch region 150, particularly thelongitudinal stretch control 152 member that is disposed therein, sothat any incontinence device 100 that may be disposed thereon is inclose body contact In particular, the Applicants believe that the rearstretch control member 156 directs the forces provided by thelongitudinal stretch control member 152 to the waistband 122 to helplift the crotch region 150 into close bodily contact.

As noted above, the rear stretch control member 156 helps provide a“z-direction” biasing force. The rear stretch control member 156preferably extends from the longitudinal stretch control member 152along two arcuate lines spaced from the longitudinal centerline L alonga portion of their length and then converge to form a single line alongthe longitudinal centerline L prior to reaching the waistband 122. Byspacing the rear stretch control member 156 from the longitudinalcenterline L at least along a portion of its length, the high forces ofthe rear stretch control member 156 are diverted away from thelongitudinal centerline L creating a pocket 158. Applicants have foundthis to be particularly important as the design of the garment 120positions the pocket 158 over the anus. Since the pocket 158 has a lowerresistance to stretch in both the longitudinal and lateral directionsthan the rear stretch control member 156, the pocket 158 is able toexpand under lower forces. This zone of lower force expansion creates apocket 158 in the rear panel 140 which can expand to contain BM.

The rear stretch control member 156 can be joined to the rear panel 140.Preferably, the rear stretch control member 156 is integral to the rearpanel 140. In the particularly preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, therear stretch control member 156 is integrally knit with the firstsection 146 of the rear panel 140.

To facilitate the direction of forces, the rear stretch control member156 should have less stretch than the first and second sections 146, 148of the rear panel 140. To provide such lower stretch, the rear stretchcontrol member 156 may comprise a material having a higher stretchmodulus than the rear panel 140 or a knit material having a knit patternas is known in the art to provide greater stretch resistance. Higherstretch modulus materials suitable for use as a rear stretch controlmember 156 include high modulus film materials, such as a polyester filmmaterial or even a single strand of yarn or monofilament having arelatively high modulus (e. g. cotton, polyester or nylon). Preferably,the rear stretch control member 156 comprises the same yarns as aresuitable for the first and second sections 146, 148 of the rear panel140 and is integrally knit therewith using a knit pattern having lessstretch than the first and second sections 146, 148. That is, the yarnsdiscussed above with respect to the first and second sections 146, 148of the rear panel 140 are also suitable for the rear stretch controlmember 156. A particularly preferred knitting pattern for the rearstretch control member 56 uses stitches known in the art to providereduced stretch. For example, a pattern of tuck stitches has been foundto be suitable.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7 there is shown an alternative embodimentof a garment 220 of the present invention. Garment 220 is identical togarment 20 except for the addition of the side panels 280.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side panel 280 is that portion ofthe garment 220 that cooperates with the front panel 230 and the rearpanel 240 to encircle a wearer's waist and hips. More specifically, theside panel 280 is that portion of the garment 220 that joins the secondsection 238 of the front panel 230 with the second section 248 of therear panel 240.

While alternate structures can be used, for example, the side panel 280could be cut to an appropriate shape from a woven or nonwoven materialand joined to the remaining portions of the garment. The side panel 280is preferably wholly plain knit, more preferably jersey knit, from acombination of elastically extensible and non-elastically extensibleyarns. As is clear to one of ordinary skill in the art, the elasticproperties of the individual yarns and the particular knitting patterncan be used by a designer to define the mechanical properties of theside panel 280. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the side panel 280 comprises alternating courses of whollyplain knit, preferably jersey knit, nylon and Lycra® or SPANDEX yarns asare available from Unifi, Inc. of Greensboro, N.C. In an alternativeembodiment, the side panel 280 can be wholly plain knit, preferablyjersey knit, using a Lycra® or SPANDEX yarn having suitable mechanicalproperties in all courses. As will be clear from the discussion of themechanical properties of the side panel 280 below, one of skill in theart could define other knitting patterns using alternative yarns toprovide such mechanical properties. As noted above, side panels 280having such mechanical properties comprising woven or nonwoven materialsare also envisioned.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the side panel 280 has agreater resistance to stretching in the lateral direction than thesecond section 238 of the front panel 230 and the second section 248 ofthe rear panel 240. Preferably, the side panel 280 has a greaterresistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction than the secondsection 238 of the front panel 230 and the second section 248 of therear panel 240.

In the embodiment shown, the first section 236 of the front panel 230has a greater resistance to stretching in the lateral direction than theside panel 280. The first section 246 of the rear panel 240 has agreater resistance to stretching in the lateral direction than the sidepanel 280. The first section 236 of the front panel 230 has a greaterresistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction than the sidepanel 280. The first section 246 of the rear panel 240 has a greaterresistance to stretching in the longitudinal direction that the sidepanel 280.

During use it is preferred that the second sections 238 and 248 stretchfirst as they provide the least resistance to stretch. If the wearingforces are increased, the side panels 280 should stretch next with thelast portions of the pant to expand being the first sections 236 and246. This is preferred as first sections 236 and 246 are intended tomaintain the incontinence pad in place while the other sections, secondsections 238 and 248 and side panels 280, are intended to provide closebody fit.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a preferred embodiment of a rearstretch control member 56 which extends from the longitudinal stretchcontrol member 52 along two lines spaced from the longitudinalcenterline L in the rear panel 40. A similar construction of the frontstretch control member 54 to that of the rear stretch control member 56shown in FIG. 2, i.e., having the front stretch control member 54 extendfrom the longitudinal stretch control member 52 along two lines spacedfrom the longitudinal centerline L, may be advantageous for the maleuser to provide a lower force region in the garment adjacent the malegenitalia. Similarly, the front stretch control member may beconstructed similar to the rear stretch control member 156 shown in FIG.5 to provide a pocket for the male genitalia which has a lowerresistance to stretch than the stretch control member.

Referring now to FIG. 8 there is shown an alternative embodiment of agarment 320 of the present invention. Garment 320 is identical togarment 20 except for the configuration of the elasticized leg openings360. As can be seen in FIG. 8 the elasticized leg openings 360 are cuthigher compared to elasticized leg openings 60 shown in FIG. 1. Thehigher cut of elasticized leg openings 360 provides a bigger openingthat leg openings 60. In addition, garment 320 uses less overallmaterial than garment 20.

TEST METHODS Stretch Modulus and Elastic Contractions

Intent

This method is intended to quantify a force comparable to the forceexerted on a wearer's body by extensible materials that may be used inan undergarment over an extension range similar to that seen in the wearcycle of an undergarment.

Method

The method described in INDA (Association of Nonwoven Fabric Industry)Standard Test 110. 1-92 is suitable. The following set up conditions areused:

Gage Length: 2 inches (5.08 centimeters)

Crosshead Speed: 10 inches/minute (25.4 centimeters/minute)

Tensile Testing Machine and Load Cell: Appropriate for expected forcerange, a Model 5564, available from Instron Corporation, Canton, Mass.is suitable

Sample Width: 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) For samples less than 1 inch(2.54 wide, measure the sample width and adjust the measured force bythe ratio of 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) to the measured width.

Sample Direction: Longitudinal stretch modulus samples are cut so thesample width is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Lateralstretch modulus samples are cut so the sample width is perpendicular tothe lateral direction.

Sample Size: At least three samples per material tested

Calculations

Force₀: Force at start of data collection (grams/inch or grams/cm) Isthere a prestretch before starting to take data

Force₂₅: Force at 25% elongation (grams/inch or grams/cm)

Elastic Contractions=Force₂₅

Stretch Modulus=(Force₂₅−Force₀)/0.25

Report the mean and standard deviation for elastic contractions (legelastics only) and for stretch modulus

The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any patentswhich issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreignpatent applications), and publications mentioned throughout thisdescription are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is expresslynot admitted, however, that any of the documents incorporated byreference herein teach or disclose the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A garment for holding a disposable absorbentarticle in close bodily contact, said garment having a longitudinalcenterline defining a longitudinal direction and a lateral centerlinedefining a lateral direction, said garment comprising: an elasticizedwaistband; a front panel having first and second sections, said firstsection having a greater resistance to stretching in the lateraldirection than that of said second section; a rear panel having firstand second sections, said first section having a greater resistance tostretching in the lateral direction than that of said second section; acrotch region disposed between and joining said front panel to said rearpanel; a pair of elasticized leg openings; a longitudinal stretchcontrol member disposed along said longitudinal centerline in saidcrotch region, said longitudinal stretch control member serving to limitthe extent of longitudinally oriented stretch of said crotch regionalong the longitudinal centerline; a front stretch control memberdisposed in said front panel and extending from said longitudinalstretch control member to said waistband to direct the forces from saidlongitudinal stretch control member to said waistband; and a rearstretch control member disposed in said rear panel and extending fromsaid longitudinal stretch control member to said waistband to direct theforces from said longitudinal stretch control member to said waistband.2. A garment according to claim 1 wherein said first section of saidfront panel has a greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinaldirection than that of said second section of said front panel.
 3. Agarment according to claim 1 wherein said first section of said rearpanel has a greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinaldirection then that of said second section of said rear panel.
 4. Agarment according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal stretch controlmember has a greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinaldirection than that of said first section of said front panel.
 5. Agarment according to claim 1 wherein said longitudinal stretch controlmember has a greater resistance to stretching in the longitudinaldirection than that of said first section of said rear panel.
 6. Agarment according to claim 1 wherein said front stretch control memberextends along said longitudinal centerline.
 7. A garment according toclaim 1 wherein said rear stretch control member extends to saidwaistband along two lines spaced from said longitudinal centerline.
 8. Agarment according to claim 1 wherein said rear stretch control memberextend to said waistband along two lines to form a pocket in said rearpanel.
 9. A garment according to claim 1 wherein said first and secondsections of said front panel have a longitudinal stretch modulus, saidlongitudinal stretch modulus of said first section being greater thansaid longitudinal stretch modulus of said second section.
 10. A garmentaccording to claim 1 wherein said first and second sections of said rearpanel have a longitudinal stretch modulus, said longitudinal stretchmodulus of said first section being greater than said longitudinalstretch modulus of said second section.
 11. A garment according to claim1 wherein said first and second sections of said front panel have alateral stretch modulus, said lateral stretch modulus of said firstsection being greater than said lateral stretch modulus of said secondsection.
 12. A garment according to claim 1 wherein said first andsecond sections of said rear panel have a lateral stretch modulus, saidlateral stretch modulus of said first section being greater than saidlateral stretch modulus of said second section.
 13. A garment accordingto claim 1 wherein said garment comprises a knit material.
 14. A garmentaccording to claim 13 wherein said longitudinal stretch control membercomprises a knitting pattern having less longitudinal stretch than awholly knit pattern.
 15. A garment according to claim 14 wherein saidlongitudinal stretch control member comprises a pattern of tuckstitches.
 16. A garment according to claim 13 wherein said front andrear stretch control members comprise a knitting pattern having lesslongitudinal stretch than a wholly knit pattern.
 17. A garment accordingto claim 16 wherein said front and rear stretch control members comprisea pattern of tuck stitches.
 18. A garment according to claim 1 whereinsaid longitudinal stretch control member is integrally knit with saidcrotch region, said front stretch control member is integrally knit withsaid first section of said front panel, and said rear stretch controlmember is integrally knit with said first section of said rear panel.19. A garment according to claim 1 further comprising a side paneljoining said first panel to said rear panel.
 20. A garment according toclaim 19 wherein said side panel has a greater resistance to stretchingin the lateral direction than that of said second section of said frontpanel.
 21. A garment according to claim 19 wherein said side panel has agreater resistance to stretching in the lateral direction than that ofsaid second section of said rear panel.
 22. A garment according to claim19 wherein said first section of said front panel has a greaterresistance to stretching in the lateral direction than that of said sidepanel.
 23. A garment according to claim 19 wherein said first section ofsaid rear panel has a greater resistance to stretching in the lateraldirection than that of said side panel.